A counterpart to Chateau Montelena, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars will deliver the valley its most priced accolade and change the history of winemaking in the region for decades after. The winery's Cabernet Sauvignon will win the Judgement of Paris, and forever redefine how the world regards Napa and American winemaking.
Just as the legend that gave the name to the district, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars is about mythology and storytelling. The winery's rich history and tapestry of events reflect in every single one of their offerings. CASK 23, for example, is named after a particular wooden cask that contained a distinct and unparalleled quality batch. It later gave a name to one of their most renown and delectable offerings, while more accessible and recognizable names like Artemis, Fay, or Karia draw both from the greek and roman mythology and the founder's family history and passion for other disciplines like astrology.
Their wines are a mix of pungent and ripe flavors, enveloped in soft and balanced acidity and tannins. They are approachable in their flagship production label and delicate and intricate in their Estate collection. The property's history is fascinating, and influences the wines poured to visitors who visit their estate. Inside the caves, a Focault Pendulum swings in the center of the cave system among constellations of crystals brought to adorn its ceiling. It a reminder of the universe's constancy represented in the earth's movement and the ingenuity of humanity for the creation of such a structure. The property continues to be expanded building upon its legacy without diluting it with quick 'grabs' for the sake of profit.
The property's visitor center posses remarkable beauty, it resembles both the entrance of a museum and observatory. Conceived by Barcelona's architect Javier Barba, the design merges the outdoors with beautiful vistas of the mountain range and vineyards through its glass with a distinct and organized space inside. Reminiscent of Antoni Gaudi's style, Gaudi himself might have conceived the entire structure of free-flowing organic exuberance. Anyone who visits the property or partakes in Stag's Leap Wine Cellars offerings can expect not only delectable and approachable wines but a touch of history and whimsy in each sip.